55g set up... not drilled, no overflow

MikeP471612 · 08/11/2006, 11:02 AM

I want to convert my 55g to salt, it is not drilled and has no overflow can I get away with a HOB type skimmer, the fluval 304 I have on it now, and some power heads? I am planning to set up a 190 gal in the future but I thought for now if I could set up this 55g fairly easily it would be great for stockpiling stuff that will go into the 190g when it's ready like LR and some soft corals.

Thanks for any info/help

theatrus · 08/11/2006, 11:07 AM

You can

.

You'll need to up your skimmer when you upgrade, but its a good cheap start.

sir_dudeguy · 08/11/2006, 11:10 AM

haha what you want to do is EXACTLY what i have. Only dont put any media at all in the fluval...just use it for flow, or for carbon whenever needed.

basically the only things you'll need to buy are a skimmer, about 60 lbs of live rock, and if you're gonna do a reef then some lights.

for a skimmer, i STRONGLY recomend the aqua c remora. I have that on my 55 and its amazing. It costs about 160 new, but you can get them on the selling forum for much cheaper...i got mine for 80 w/the shipping from there. yes, its used, but its still workin great

check out my sig and it tells about my tank. i've got pretty much the same as you.

one thing tho...instead of buying live rock, you can go to hirocks.com and by the 60 lb box of base rock for 60 dollars, and thats including the shipping.
With this stuff, you'll just go thru a normal cycle and then you're good. It would help to add a few pounds of actual live rock here and there tho, because that way you'll get all the pods, bristleworms etc, which are all beneficial

hth
mike

MikeP471612 · 08/11/2006, 03:04 PM

Well good to know my plan will work. I did plan to buy a used skimmer, thanks for recomendation on which model and the rock dudeguy. And I definately plan to buy one suited for my 190g when the time comes. The 190g is drilled and has an overflow so I will do a sump system with it.

Man this hobby is addicting

tammiescritters · 08/11/2006, 07:21 PM

We converted a 55g freshwater to salt just a few months ago and it has done great. It is not drilled and no sump. We also have the Fluval 304 with just carbon in it. A bunch of live rock, not sure how many pounds but it's pretty full. A skimmer and T5's for lighting. We have had no problems at all. We have a Seio along with another powerhead for flow. The only problem we have is it's not big enough already!!! The new 90 gallon surfline will be here on Monday!!!

splateee · 08/11/2006, 07:41 PM

We have a 55 gallon running a CPR Bakpak and a power filter, everything is working great. For lights we have 2 x 96 watt power compacts.

Right now it is in the process of being transferred to our 90 gallon. I got bit by the bigger tank syndrone LOL.

sir_dudeguy · 08/11/2006, 08:37 PM

are you gonna use the 55 as a sump for the 90? imo that woudl be a good idea if it will fit

08/11/2006, 11:02 AM	#1
MikeP471612 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 379	55g set up... not drilled, no overflow I want to convert my 55g to salt, it is not drilled and has no overflow can I get away with a HOB type skimmer, the fluval 304 I have on it now, and some power heads? I am planning to set up a 190 gal in the future but I thought for now if I could set up this 55g fairly easily it would be great for stockpiling stuff that will go into the 190g when it's ready like LR and some soft corals. Thanks for any info/help

08/11/2006, 11:07 AM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	You can . You'll need to up your skimmer when you upgrade, but its a good cheap start. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/11/2006, 11:10 AM	#3
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	haha what you want to do is EXACTLY what i have. Only dont put any media at all in the fluval...just use it for flow, or for carbon whenever needed. basically the only things you'll need to buy are a skimmer, about 60 lbs of live rock, and if you're gonna do a reef then some lights. for a skimmer, i STRONGLY recomend the aqua c remora. I have that on my 55 and its amazing. It costs about 160 new, but you can get them on the selling forum for much cheaper...i got mine for 80 w/the shipping from there. yes, its used, but its still workin great check out my sig and it tells about my tank. i've got pretty much the same as you. one thing tho...instead of buying live rock, you can go to hirocks.com and by the 60 lb box of base rock for 60 dollars, and thats including the shipping. With this stuff, you'll just go thru a normal cycle and then you're good. It would help to add a few pounds of actual live rock here and there tho, because that way you'll get all the pods, bristleworms etc, which are all beneficial hth mike __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/11/2006, 08:37 PM	#7
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	are you gonna use the 55 as a sump for the 90? imo that woudl be a good idea if it will fit __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/11/2006, 03:04 PM	#4
MikeP471612 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 379	Well good to know my plan will work. I did plan to buy a used skimmer, thanks for recomendation on which model and the rock dudeguy. And I definately plan to buy one suited for my 190g when the time comes. The 190g is drilled and has an overflow so I will do a sump system with it. Man this hobby is addicting

08/11/2006, 07:21 PM	#5
tammiescritters Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern WI (Foster and Smiths backyard) Posts: 51	We converted a 55g freshwater to salt just a few months ago and it has done great. It is not drilled and no sump. We also have the Fluval 304 with just carbon in it. A bunch of live rock, not sure how many pounds but it's pretty full. A skimmer and T5's for lighting. We have had no problems at all. We have a Seio along with another powerhead for flow. The only problem we have is it's not big enough already!!! The new 90 gallon surfline will be here on Monday!!!

08/11/2006, 07:41 PM	#6
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	We have a 55 gallon running a CPR Bakpak and a power filter, everything is working great. For lights we have 2 x 96 watt power compacts. Right now it is in the process of being transferred to our 90 gallon. I got bit by the bigger tank syndrone LOL.